Previous Updates

 January 4, 2026

After reviewing the most recent CT Scan, our Oncologist indicated that the daily chemo pill is effectively doing its job, so no immunotherapy treatment is required at this time.  That's great!  We'll be following up later with subsequent appointments and future scans.

December 16, 2025

Our Oncologist suggested trying immunotherapy treatments to battle the remaining cancer cells.  We will be starting those treatments on December 29th.

December 2, 2025

Breathing much better after the bronchoscopy!  Most of the biopsies results were good, but one still showed signs of cancer cells.  We'll talk to our Oncologist next week to see if any treatments need re-evaluated.  The Nuclear bone scan did not show anything abnormal.

Had the spine procedure yesterday, which was successful.  Everything looked good, but they sent a biopsy for analysis to be on the safe side.

November 12, 2025

Still battling a lung infection.  Will be having a bronchoscopy next week and a spine procedure when that can be scheduled.  Nuclear bone scan will be next week also.

Thanks for the continued prayers!

October 14, 2025

Had another hospital stay with some infections and very low WBC.  Home now and trying to regain strength.  Saw radiation Dr and they were encouraged by positive test results.  No further radiation is needed, but will have a CT scan in 3 months to ensure everything is still good.

MRI of spine is next week to determine treatment for the fractures.  Your prayers continue to sustain us!

October 8, 2025

PET Scan was done yesterday, and results are consistent with the CT Scan saying that the mass is receding and lymph nodes are not showing signs of the cancer.  Things showing up are indicative of normal post-treatment residuals.  We meet with the Radiologist next Monday to review the results with him.

Had a rough go of the chemo treatment last Wednesday, but starting to feel a bit better now.

October 1, 2025

CT Scan was done today.  Our Oncologist says that the treatments are working!  It is not a clean scan of course, but the results show that the mass is receding and lymph nodes are not swollen.  The things that are showing up are indicative of normal post-treatment residuals (Radiation and Chemo).  We have the PET Scan next Tuesday which will indicate the status of the cancer itself.

The 'wounds' from both the cyst and Port removal areas are both healing successfully, so we were able to get the Chemo treatment today.  The Oncologist wants us to keep on that in 3 week intervals in addition to the daily chemo pill.

One new thing that showed up in the scan today was some vertebrae issues.  Will be getting an MRI done of that in a few weeks to determine a treatment for that.

September 24, 2025

After meeting with the Oncologist today, he decided to wait a week to let the cyst-removal wound heal a bit more before restarting the chemo.  At the moment, next Wednesday is the target date for that.

September 19, 2025

Our Oncologist accelerated the cyst removal by referring us to a surgeon.  They were able to do that today!  We have follow-up appointments next week to determine if that will heal enough to restart the chemo.

September 16, 2025

The up and down journey continues.  Port wound is still healing.  In a couple of weeks they will remove a cyst on the back that also was infected.  Pray that goes smoothly and no further infection.  God has been our constant source of strength!

August 27, 2025

The hospital stay turned into 6 days, but back home now!  They needed to give the antibiotics by IV until they could confirm the type of infection, and that process took several more days.  Have an appointment with the Oncologist next Wednesday to get the sutures taken out from the port removal.

August 21, 2025

Unfortunately there was an infection in the "port" area, so had to skip this week's scheduled chemo treatment.  Due to the infection, the "port" had to be removed.  Will be in the Daytona Halifax Hospital the next couple of days getting antibiotics to treat the infection.  Not quite sure yet when the next chemo treatment can be rescheduled.

August 17, 2025

Had a bit of a scare this past week with some sharp  back/chest pain.  The Oncologist had me go to the ER to get a CT scan just in case it was another embolism.   Thankfully the scan was negative for that.  Due to the blood thinners, I can't take normal pain meds like Advil, so they prescribed other medication and a lidocaine patch.  Hopefully will be able to return to the Church Office on August 25th, barring any other setbacks.

This battle continues but we are standing on the firm foundation of Jesus.  Your prayers are sustaining us.

July 19, 2025

Praise God!  Thanks to YOUR prayers & the treatments we have some positive news.  The tumor has shrunk slightly & is less dense and the lymph nodes have resolved!  However, have a pulmonary embolism in the other lung and had to go to ER to begin treatment.  Yet, that is a praise for the timing of the CT scan to find that out.  Thank you for partnering with us in prayer!  Our God is an awesome God♫♪

July 9, 2025

Received the final Radiation treatment today  (#33)!  Also had chemo treatment #4 this morning, so a very busy day.   The blood counts are better, so can start taking the targeted chemo pill again .

We'll be having a CT scan in a few weeks to verify the chemo is working as it should.  The PET scan won't be till October because the radiation effects need to heal so that the scan can be read accurately.

June 29, 2025

7 more Radiation treatments!  Unfortunately I had to pause the chemo pill due to low blood cell counts.  The Oncologist had me stay in the hospital a couple of nights in order to get antibiotic treatments due to a fever.  Feeling better now and will limit 'outings' in order to reduce exposure to any sicknesses.  On the good news side, my throat is doing much better now and am able to swallow easier.

June 19, 2025

The radiation treatments have caused my voice to become hoarse, and actually hurt when speaking.  Only two more treatments in the throat area, then the remaining 10 treatments will be in lower areas.  Next chemo (4th treatment) will be on July 9th, and sometime after that they will do a scan to confirm that the treatments are working.

We had to say goodbye to Belle this week.  She had been struggling with the loss of use of her back legs.  Such a faithful and loving joy she was!  She was quite a fighter and was trying to stay with us as long as she could.

June 9, 2025

Received the 'targeted' pill last Friday night and will be taking that daily.  The "thrush" has subsided and was able to return to getting the Radiation treatments.  The next chemo treatment is this Wednesday.

June 2, 2025

Radiation is on a pause for now to allow for healing from the skin rash and throat problems and to allow the thrush to heal as well.  The new targeted chemo pill will arrive this week and will begin that.

Your love and prayers have been sustaining us and just keep repeating Phil 4:13:  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

May 28, 2025

Had the chemo treatment last Wednesday, and the first few days were fine.  But the past few days have been a bit rough:  tired and a 'thrashing' on the throat.  For our 42nd wedding anniversary today we went down to Cocoa Beach for lunch.  The Radiation machine is being worked on today, so getting a break from that for a day.

Have not received the 'pill' treatment yet, but it has been approved by the insurance so will hopefully start that soon.  The month of June will be filled with the radiation treatments.  24 more to go!

May 19, 2025

Very eventful day!  Unfortunately did not have the chemo treatment today due to a sinus infection and started on an antibiotic.  Plan to have the chemo treatment on Wednesday as long as those meds do the trick.  Was still able to receive the radiation treatment today as scheduled.

The molecular level study came back.  There is a 'pill' that can be taken to target this specific form of cancer in addition to the current treatments.  The Doctor submitted the paperwork for insurance to cover it, so hopefully that can start soon.

May 14, 2025

The 'setup' for Radiation went smoothly yesterday, and we are starting the Radiation treatments this morning.  Those will occur every weekday starting today thru the end of June.  It's kind of scary, but we are very thankful that we can begin that part of the process.

May 11, 2025

Happy Mother's Day everyone!  This has been a much better week and I feel almost normal.  What a blessing to have both our sons here to celebrate Mother's Day.

Tuesday is the final setup for Radiation, and hopefully those treatments will begin this week.

May 6, 2025

Chemo week was a rough one. First few days weren't too bad, but then nothing would stay down. Thankful for the tips booklet Dr gives, my supportive husband and family/friends, gin gins & other nausea lozenges. Blood levels are low now so we are in a rebuilding strength mode. We've received many encouraging cards & notes and your prayers are sustaining us. Miss and love you all.

Apr 28, 2025, 4:24pm

Received two forms of Chemo this morning, and will be getting this treatment every 3 weeks.  The Immunotherapy has not yet been approved by the Insurance (awaiting cell-level analysis).  Once approved, will begin that treatment.

The Radiologist has scheduled the radiation 'mapping' for this Thursday, May 1st.  Once complete, daily radiation treatments will begin (hopefully next week).  We were hoping to start that this week, but there is a 'process' needed before treatment can begin.  The Oncology staff is excellent!  We are so glad that they work thru all of the Insurance and Scheduling for us.  The Radiation will be done with a new-technology system and there are only 2 in the country, here and Oklahoma!

Thanks again for all of your prayers!

Apr 28, 2025, 6:24am

Today is Chemo day.  I woke up feeling "tingly & energized" and could feel all your prayers and the Holy Spirit giving me comfort.  We are Armed with Hope for the day ahead.  Thank you Family and Friends!

Apr 21, 2025

The ‘port’ was implanted successfully this morning at Halifax in Daytona.    Our meeting this afternoon with the Oncology Nurse was VERY informative (especially for Matt since he is kind of clueless on such things).  We are on target to start two forms of Chemo on Monday April 28th, as well as an Immunotherapy treatment.  All three together will provide the best results.  These treatments are currently planned to be repeated every 3 weeks.  And then periodically I'll be rescanned to see if the treatments are working as expected.

Also on next Monday we have an appointment with the Radiologist to go over the "Pulmonary" test results from last week.   At that time we will know the plan for the Radiation treatments as to when those daily treatments can be started.

Apr 19, 2025

I am scheduled to have a ‘port’ implanted on Monday, and then we meet with an Oncology Nurse later that day.  The current plan is to start Chemo treatments on Monday April 28th, followed by daily Radiation treatments (Monday thru Friday).  Hopefully Immunotherapy treatments will get in the mix.  Since the cancer is in several lymph node locations around the lung, the Doctors have indicated that some cancer cells may have spread to other areas, thus the aggressive approach will have the best outcome for success!